Georgetown Waterfront Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Georgetown Waterfront Park |
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Georgetown Waterfront Park with the Francis Scott Key Bridge and Whitehurst Freeway in the background
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| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
The Georgetown Waterfront Park is a cool national park in Washington, D.C.. It opened in the fall of 2011. This park is part of the historic Georgetown area. It stretches along the Potomac River from 31st Street NW all the way to the Key Bridge. People worked for many years to make this park happen. It has some really neat parts to it. Now that it's finished, the park connects to 225 miles (362 km) of other parks along the Potomac River. This huge stretch goes from Cumberland, Maryland all the way to Mount Vernon, Virginia. The park's design fits perfectly with the natural bends of the river.
How the Park Was Created
People started planning this park many years ago. Back in 1968, a group called the National Capital Planning Commission said the Georgetown waterfront should become a park. This commission helps plan how land is used in the nation's capital.
Later, the National Park Service and the mayor of the District of Columbia agreed. They decided to set aside 10 acres (about 40,000 square meters) of land for the park. Before the park, this area was mostly old industrial buildings. Parts of the park used to be a parking lot. Now, the Georgetown waterfront is a busy place with shops and homes. Places like the Washington Harbour complex and a movie theater bring many people to the waterfront.
What You Can See and Do
The park has gentle grassy hills and lots of shade trees. There are also paved paths for walking and biking. From the main walkway, you can see amazing views. You can look across the river at Theodore Roosevelt Island. You can also see the Key Bridge and the Kennedy Center.
The park has some special features. There's an interactive fountain where you can play in the water. There are also stairs that go right down to the river. Plus, you'll find scenic spots where you can stop and enjoy the view. This part of the park, near Wisconsin Avenue, is like a special entrance to the Potomac River.
